Somersworth firefighters back AMR ambulance service

Thursday

Mar 28, 2013 at 3:15 AMMar 28, 2013 at 6:41 AM

By ANDREA BULFINCHabulfinch@fosters.com

SOMERSWORTH — As news of a lawsuit against four former employees of the new ambulance company American Ambulance Services surfaces, some are speaking up in support of American Medical Response, the company that filed the lawsuit.

Tim Wilder, representative for the Somersworth Professional Firefighters Union, said his group, Local 2320, is backing AMR as the preferred company for the city to negotiate a contract with based on some of the ways AMR has gone above and beyond competitors in the request for proposals process, and the fact that AMR has a lengthy history serving the community.

“We work hand in hand with them every day,” he said, adding his group thinks it is best for the people of the city to “know who the guys on the ground work with.”

Wilder said he's reviewed all of the RFPs submitted to the city, with a third company, Careplus, in the running. He said all three meet the criteria set forth by the city, but that AMR has offered more to residents than any other, separating themselves from the competition.

AMR, he said, in addition to meeting minimum standards, has offered to build a brand new facility on land they would purchase in the city, adding to the tax base; reimburse the city for dispatching services to AMR, for which the city currently foots the cost; provide 100 hours more than competitors with a dedicated ambulance service for calls within the city only; and pay for city firefighters and police to gain Emergency Medical Technician certification.

Wilder said benefits like those offer a win-win scenario for the city.

He also said that for the last three years, AMR has registered at least 80 of its vehicles within the city, bringing revenue to the community.

“AMR is also supportive of its union members,” he said.

In the lawsuit, filed in Suffolk County Suffolk County Superior Court in Boston, Mass., former employees are accused of intellectual property theft and violation of a noncompete policy. Those named in the suit include AASNE General Manager and former AMR employee Paul Robidas, AASNE Chief Operating Officer and former AMR New England general manager of 20 years Brendan McNiff, and former AMR employees Christopher Hogan and Ian Bryant.

And if anyone is wondering what it has been like to work with AMR over the many years it has served the community, Wilder said the answer is that it has been great.

“We work the front lines of safety with the paramedics of AMR everyday,” he said. “We feel they provide the best overall package and commitment to the citizens of Somersworth.”